Flood water keeps Dalton Highway closed

Posted: Monday, August 19, 2002

FAIRBANKS (AP) -- The Dalton Highway remained closed Sunday as a creek was running across about 50 feet of the road link to Prudhoe Bay and communities in the Brooks Range. Flooding also cut the Chena Hot Springs Road.

The state Department of Transportation said the Dalton would remain closed until at least Monday morning, while the Chena Hot Springs Road could stay impassable for several days.

The National Weather Service issued flood warnings through Monday afternoon for rivers in the central Interior, including the Chena, Salcha and Chatanika. The flooding was a result of heavy rain that began on Thursday.

Chena Hot Springs Road was closed at Mile 37.5 due to water 10 to 15 inches deep crossing the road.

The Dalton Highway washout was at about Mile 342, about 70 miles south of Deadhorse.

DOT crews were working over the weekend to reopen the artery to Prudhoe Bay.

''Additional manpower and equipment will be assisting with the replacement of three culverts and hauling of material,'' DOT said.

Several other areas of the Dalton were down to one lane due to the rain, including from Mile 291 to 298.